UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones appears to have run afoul of the law once again after being charged with one count of battery stemming from an alleged incident at an Albuquerque strip club in April.
A cocktail waitress employed by TD’s Eubank Showclub in Albuquerque telephoned police and claimed that Jones “slapped her inappropriately” and “pulled her down to his lap and kissed her neck” per language in the police report, as reported by KRQE News 13.
The report also states that Jones placed the woman in a chokehold and lifted her off the ground.
The fighter was scheduled to appear at a bond arraignment at Albuquerque Metropolitan Court on June 11 but failed to appear, prompting a bench warrant for him to be issued the following day. The court attempted to send Jones a letter but it was returned unopened on June 24. He paid the $300 cash bond at the court on Sunday, lifting the warrant.
A spokesperson for Jones said that the first Jones had heard of the incident was when he was informed by the media.
“Today, the media told Mr. Jones about a false accusation launched against him and that paperwork had been sent to an incorrect address,” James Hallinan said in a statement sent to KRQE 13 News on behalf of Jones. “However, after receiving the documents from the press, Mr. Jones immediately went to pay the small fee, and he, and multiple witnesses, stand ready to factually refute the malicious lies being told about him to the public.”
Jones has had several run-ins with authorities in recent years, including an incident in which he hit a car being driven by a pregnant lady before fleeing the scene in 2015 and a drink-driving incident in 2012.
UPDATE:
Jones has provided the following statements on social media regarding the incident:
I’m definitely not in any trouble my friend, don’t be so quick to believe everything you read on the Internet. 🤙🏾 https://t.co/d3GPuRDfpb
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 22, 2019
I know there’s a whole bunch of people hoping for my downfall but there’s even more who are proud of me and love seeing me do well. And screw staying inside, I love this community.. excited to keep climbing, haters going to be mad when I win in December 😩 https://t.co/dmTH0x2Grv
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 22, 2019
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